How it works

Mobile payments using your Visa account work in a variety of ways. The first requirement is a mobile device with Near Field Communication (NFC) capability, which enables the device to securely and wirelessly interact with other devices, including payment terminals. Check with your mobile phone provider and financial institution about your handset’s capability and availability of mobile payment services.

on the Embedded Secure Element (eSE) on the mobile device, or in the cloud via Host Card Emulation (HCE) technology, or

on a secure element within the SIM card.

As an alternative, consumers can use a sticker on the back of their mobile device with an embedded secure chip provided by their financial institution, enabling contactless payments.

Mobile and digital payments are also protected through tokenization. Find out more about the Visa Token Service here.

Security

Every Visa payWave transaction – whether on the card or mobile – is protected by multiple layers of security, just like a normal chip card. These include:

Restricted read range

The device must be held within 4 centimetres of a contactless terminal in order for the payment information to be transmitted to the terminal.

EMV chip technology

Each contactless transaction is based on EMV chip technology and includes a unique code that changes with each purchase. It works the same way on a phone.

Low transaction limits

No need to sign or enter a PIN for transactions under $100.

Real-time fraud monitoring

All Visa payWave transactions are processed through Visa’s global processing network, VisaNet. Transactions are analysed in real-time and scored for their fraud potential.

Zero Liability Policy

In the unlikely event of fraud, Visa's Zero Liability Policy* means you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges or unauthorised purchases made using Visa.

Consumers in control

Your mobile does not need to leave your hand, which puts you in control of the transaction. Only one payment can be processed at a time, so your Visa account won't be accidentally debited more than once.

*Visa’s Zero Liability policy covers Australia and New Zealand-issued cards and does not apply to ATM transactions, transactions not processed by Visa or certain commercial card transactions. Cardholders should notify their issuer promptly of any unauthorized Visa use. Please consult your issuer for additional details.

Benefits

Benefits for consumers

The smartphone is already a life companion. It’s our social media manager, personal assistant, DJ and GPS. And now consumers can use the same mobile device to make payments and leave their wallet behind.

Visa payWave transactions on mobile devices are just as secure as card-based transactions. Your phone remains in your hand, giving you control throughout the transaction.

Benefits for merchants

Visa payWave transactions have proven to be around three times faster and more convenient than paying with cash (Visa Smart Card Deployment Study, Taiwan and Malaysia, Deloitte 2006).

Reduced cash handling costs.

Contactless payments improve the customer experience with faster transactions, shorter queues and no PIN required for transactions below $100. Visa payWave can still be used for transactions over $100, you simply need to verify the payment with your PIN.

Stores accepting Mobile Visa payWave

Visa payWave on the mobile can be used anywhere Visa payWave is accepted. Participating stores include McDonalds, JB Hi-Fi, Bunnings, Coles, Woolworths, 7 Eleven, Foodworks, IGA and Caltex. Simply look out for the contactless symbol at the payments terminal. Visa payWave has also been introduced in countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Visa is committed to bringing the next phase of secure payments innovation to cardholders and merchants.